Azure Quartet’s Journey Through India: Music, Collaboration, and Connection
The Azure Quartet’s trip to India celebrated connection through music, from performing Messiaen’s profound Quartet for the End of Time to vibrant collaborations. Each venue and audience highlighted music’s power to unite across cultures.
In the summer of 2023, I had the privilege of hearing a young quartet perform Olivier Messiaen’s spectacular Quartet for the End of Time in London. Composed during Messiaen’s imprisonment in Stalag VIII-A during World War II, this eight-movement masterpiece uses a unique combination of instruments: clarinet, violin, cello, and piano. Premiered by Messiaen and his fellow prisoners in 1941, the work is riveting, dissonant, expressive and demanding for both the performer and the listener. Inspired by the quartet’s remarkable skill and musicianship, I invited them to bring their artistry to India to share this work with young musicians and audiences in India.
The Azure Quartet agreed, and what followed was unforgettable. The quartet, made up of Thomas Knollys (clarinet), Elana Kenyon-Gewirtz (violin), Hoda Jahanpour (cello) and Joel Banerjee (piano) performed two distinct repertoires during their journey: the complete Quartet for the End of Time and a lighter mix of works (Repertoire 2) by composers such as Poulenc, Vivaldi, Debussy, Boulanger, Piazzolla, and others. This is their travelogue.
India International Centre – Quartet for the End of Time
Our first concert took place at the prestigious India International Centre, hosted by the Delhi Music Society.
Introduced by the eloquent Sunit Tandon, whose engaging prelude brought Messiaen’s work vividly to life, the performance was the first in many years to present this haunting quartet in Delhi.
The audience’s focused attentiveness heightened the experience as we navigated its dissonance, mystery, and beauty. It was a pleasure to connect with audience members afterward, many of whom shared their unique reflections on the piece.
Ashoka University – Quartet for the End of Time
Concert preparation at Ashoka University; Instrument, acoustics and lighting checks
At Ashoka University, we were welcomed with a sunny campus tour before performing in the intimate Black Box Theatre.
Joel testing out the Black-box Theatre’s beautiful-toned Kawai piano
The setting—at the same level as the audience rather than on a stage—fostered a greater sense of collaboration and interactivity.
Hoda and her cello; Elana with her violin
The students, many of who are budding musicians and creatives, engaged deeply with the performance, sharing precise observations about specific movements and themes.
Concert at Ashoka University
One memorable moment was meeting Po, Ashoka’s sole cellist, after the concert. When I (Hoda) mentioned I was learning Bach’s Sixth Cello Suite, Po excitedly revealed he had never heard it live.
Full house
I had the pleasure of performing the prelude for him and a small group of friends in a campus corridor—a spontaneous and joyful connection over our shared love of music.
British Council – A Mix from Both Repertoires
Our performance at the British Council offered a chance to introduce school students to Western classical instrumental music. Despite the early 9 a.m. start, the students’ attentiveness and enthusiasm throughout our mixed programme—including a movement of Messiaen—was heartening. Meeting students afterward and hearing their creative perspectives on music made this a particularly rewarding experience.
Grand Venice Mall – Repertoire 2 – with Dancers
Performing at the Grand Venice Mall was a unique experience, featuring choreographed dances by Benjamin Jacob, Joe Matthew, Safia Livingston, and Aadya Jain.
Their routines, set to pieces such as Gershwin’s American in Paris, Piazzolla’s Libertango, and Debussy’s Cello Sonata, brought an incredible variety of styles, from humorous storytelling to contemporary movement.
Despite the challenges of amplifying our instruments for the unconventional venue, the lively atmosphere and engaged crowds made this a highlight of our tour. A particularly magical moment was the free improvisation between musicians and dancers, an inspiring interplay of movement and sound.
Kiran Nadar Museum of Art (KNMA) – Quartet for the End of Time
The resonant acoustics of the Kiran Nadar Museum of Art added an ethereal quality to our performance of Messiaen’s quartet. The strings soared over the piano’s accompaniment, and the audience’s respectful silence amplified the profound beauty of the work. This final performance of the quartet during our tour was particularly moving, and we are grateful to KNMA for their warm hospitality during our time in Delhi.
Associated Board of the Royal Schools of Music (ABRSM), Lucknow – Repertoire 2
In Lucknow, we performed during the City Montessori School’s Christmas Spectacular, sharing a vibrant repertoire from Vivaldi’s La Follia to Feliciano’s festive Feliz Navidad. The following day, we gave a short concert for 500 schoolchildren, hoping to inspire them with new musical styles and pieces. Meeting students, of different ages, preparing for ABRSM exams was a privilege; their confidence and willingness to perform was impressive.
KNMA + Vatican Embassy – Mirai: The Miracle of Hope
Our final concerts in Delhi showcased the debut season of Mirai, an all-women’s vocal ensemble, founded and conducted by Sharmila B. Livingston, that we had the pleasure of accompanying. This 15-member treble ensemble, comprised of women from diverse ages, professions, and musical abilities, share a common passion for music spanning a variety of genres. Their repertoire included timeless works by Vivaldi and Lotti, along with more contemporary selections from Gershwin and John Rutter.
The Mirai concerts at the Kiran Nadar Museum of Art (KNMA) and the Chapel at the Embassy of the Holy See Vatican were memorable not only for performances, but also for the collaborative spirit that infused each performance. The ensemble’s camaraderie and dedication were evident as we worked together to create moments of musical beauty.
Our concerts with Mirai concluded our musical journey in India, leaving us energized and hopeful that our music as a quartet, and on shared platforms inspired other young musicians to grow in their own musical experiences, collaborations and connections, even as we did through our experiences in India.
IIC, Ashoka University and Grand Venice photos by John Bonion Nayak
